As I look back at my photos and Facebook memories, it seems that these few weekends at the end of September are always jammed full of fun. I blame the (perfect) weather.

We carried on the tradition this year with a trip to the park, soccer, a parade, lots of crafting and cooking, pulling the Halloween goodies out of the basement, an art fair, a tea party, and some good ole' Sunday night playdoh action. Phew!

Every year our friends who live in the country have a big campout over Labor Day weekend to celebrate their birthdays. The party has been a tradition since our boys were born, but--for various reasons mostly having to do with subsequent pregnancy and babies--our family hadn't camped out until this year.

But we had to camp this year because it's the last year--at least, the last year in the country. You see, our friends have decided to move to town.

I am 99% thrilled for them in this decision. It means their lives will be so much more convenient. It means they'll have more time with each other. It means their kids will get to go to an awesome school. And it means we will get to see them a lot more.

But what I hadn't quite thought about--until I was sitting around the campfire embers, watching our boys play early Monday morning--is that I'm going to miss their little house in the country.

My son has a favorite tree there (not this one, although he likes it, too).

Our kids have all grown up there, really. A big gaggle of boys, with Little Miss trailing just behind, all being parented by whatever adult happens to be closest at the moment one of them looks like he's threatening to fall into the creek.

It's been a magical place, but--I consoled myself as a collected a few acorns and threw a twig on the fire embers--all those things I just rambled off will transplant to the new house quite well. The topography will be different, yes, but all the welcome and love will be just the same. Isn't it funny what importance we humans attach to "place" when really it's the people at the place that matter?

And then I resolved to spontaneously take my friends dinner some random night next week, just to experience the fun of them being close enough to do so.

Today we're going to talk about Lottie Dolls, and why I love them all of the much.

I still remember the wonderful moment, last fall, when I first discovered Lottie. I have such good memories of "playing dolls" when I was little, and I wanted to make Little Miss a dollhouse for Christmas. For a lot of reasons, though, (body image, feminism, etc., etc.) I felt a little...oh...just not warm and fuzzy about giving Little Miss the dolls of my youth.

Second, their bodies and clothes are also childlike. Lottie is based on the proportions of a 9 year-old girl. Her clothes are made for play, and she doesn't wear heavy makeup.

Third, Lottie is well-built enough for hard play. Seriously, we took these dolls through the wringer--the pool, the beach, the lake, the train, the sun--and they look like they're brand new. Their hair is still gorgeous. The paint on their faces is still perfect. Their skin didn't fade or crack. I can realistically see myself saving them in case Little Miss has a daughter someday.

The Kid--who hadn't really shown much interest in dolls in the past--decided he wanted a boy doll to go with Sister's girls, so I surprised him with a Finn for our train trip.

Again, Finn's interests, body, and durability are all age appropriate. He's just a little boy who likes to bodyboard or play on his scooter. The Kid liked him so much that we recently got him Finn's friend, Sammi, and my only complaint is that--for now, at least--those are the only two boys.

But enough about our Lottie Dolls, let's talk about yours. The one you could win below!

This is a fun giveaway, because you get to pick which Lottie you want (and the new ones are so stinkin' cute). I know it's still early for Christmas, but whether you save it until then or just let your kiddo open it straight out of the mailbox, I promise, Lottie will be a big hit with your littles.

[The fine print: 1) Lottie sent me a Muddy Puddles Lottie and a Fossil Hunter Lottie to review, but our dollhouse was brimming with Lotties before that, so my opinions are all my own. 2) As a Club Lottie Ambassador, I get a small commission if you buy a Lottie Doll using the links above. I will probably use that to buy more Lotties. 3) Entering this giveaway means that you're cool with me sharing your email address with Lottie Dolls. They put out some great stuff, like this video, which makes me cry every. darn. time.]